Merlot Bungalow

Rating 5 (36 Guest Reviews)
Bedroom 2 bedrooms
Bathroom 1 full baths
Guests 6 guests
Pets Allowed Pets Allowed

  • Address: 889 Serenity Road
  • Lake: Seneca Lake
  • Location: Lakeside
  • Peak Check In: Saturday
  • Square Feet: 830
Location

Rent 2 Nights, Get a 3rd Night Free!

Spring savings are in the air! Book any 2 nights between March 9, 2024 and May 2, 2024 and get a 3rd night free for your Finger Lakes vacation at Merlot Bungalow.  Use Promo Code: MERLOT3for2.

Special offers are applicable only to new reservations booked directly with Finger Lakes Premier Properties and are not available for stays encompassing a holiday.  This special is applicable on stays ranging from 2-5 days and excludes stays encompassing holidays.

*Offer expires 04/30/2024 and you must book your vacation between 03/09/2024 and 05/02/2024.


Location Location

Description Description
Sunny naps on the shore, cool misty mornings on the deck, and lazy Sunday afternoons with the family in a quiet place all your own: a secluded beach getaway is what you're looking for, and Merlot Bungalow has everything you need! This breezy, tranquil home just steps from the beach features two bedrooms, a full bath, and a gorgeous view of Seneca Lake.

As soon as you step through the door, the vaulted ceilings, soothing colors, and stunning view of the lake lend this home the feel of a luxurious coastal cottage. The brief main entryway leads directly into an 830 square foot semi-open floor plan. On the left is the kitchen, furnished with all the necessary appliances, amenities, and storage. Across the bar-style peninsula, the kitchen opens to the spacious living room, making the space perfect for entertaining close friends or hosting a family gathering.

The living room is naturally lit in the day by skylights and a fantastic wall-length sliding door opening to the back deck, and a small gas stove provides the space with both heat and a touch of rustic charm. Directly off the living room to the right are two cozy bedrooms, each with its own queen bed, and one of the rooms offering its own winning view of the water. Near the bedrooms you can clean up after a long day on the beach in the shower of the full bath.

Walk through the sliding doors from the living room onto the wide main deck, boasting an impressive view of Seneca Lake.  Five steps off the deck is a patio with large grill, a stone fire pit, and ample space for entertaining. Descend 17 steps toward the lake is the boat house, housing two kayaks with life vests, which you are free to use to explore the lake. You may launch these from 112 feet of your own personal shoreline or lounge on the private 30-foot dock.

Craving something flavorful? Merlot Bungalow is located just minutes from dozens of the most highly rated wineries in the world-famous Finger Lakes wine region, such as the award-winning Fox Run Vineyards. This home is also 15 minutes from the Keuka Lake Wine Trail and 30 minutes from the Waterloo Premium Outlet Mall and Del Lago Resort & Casino. If the theater arts are more your style, a short drive north will bring you to Geneva's historic Smith Opera house for a show and dinner at one of the many nearby downtown restaurants. These are only a handful of the experiences available to you that will make your time at Merlot Bungalow the perfect lakefront escape

RR Tracks run behind this property.

Public water will be installed Spring/ Summer 2023!

Upper Deck of Boat House is not available to guests

High Speed Internet added in the Fall of 2021!

Occupancy: This property is closely monitored for responsible renting.  The maximum occupancy of each home is the number of guests allowed on the premises at any given time.  This includes both day and overnight guests.

Note: Smoking is not allowed in any rental property.
Homes are not handicap accessible, unless stated in description.
Where pets are allowed it is indicated. Otherwise, pets are not allowed. Homes are not guaranteed allergen-free, even those that do not allow pets.
Docking capabilities may vary based on current water levels. Docking is not guaranteed if water levels are low and/or high due to seasonal weather and climate changes.
* Outdoor amenities, including furniture/ watercraft/ fire pits are not available between October 15 - May 15 *

Property Details Property Details
  • Boat Lift: None
  • Lake Frontage: 114' (Natural & Breakwall)
  • Nearest Launch: Severne Point
  • Vehicle Parking: 3 Spaces
  • Dock: 2 4' x 40' Docks
  • Pet Restriction: 2 Dogs Allowed
  • Sewer: Septic
  • Slope of Lot: Gradual
  • Steps to Beach: 36
  • Stairs to Property: 2
  • Water Source: Lake

Bed and Bath Bed and Bath
  • Bedroom 1 - Queen - First Floor
  • Bedroom 2 - Queen - First Floor
  • Living Room - Sleep Sofa - First Floor (Sleeper Sofa is a Queen)
  • Bath 1 - Toilet,Shower - First Floor

Amenities 21 Amenities
  • Air Conditioning (Central A/C)
  • BBQ - Propane
  • Bicycle (2 Availlable)
  • Boat Cleats or Tie-Off (Water can be low seasonally sometimes. If this happens, docking may be difficult for large boats.)
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Deck Patio Uncovered
  • Dishwasher
  • Dryer
  • DVD player
  • Enhanced Cleaning Practices
  • Fire Pit
  • Heating
  • Internet (Wireless)
  • Linens provided
  • Minimum Age Limit (25)
  • Non-motorized watercraft (2 1-Person Kayaks)
  • Satellite or Cable
  • Smoking Not Allowed
  • Towels provided
  • Washer
  • Wood Stove (Decorative only)

Reviews Rating 5 (36) Reviews
Rating 5
Cozy Lakeside Getaway in January
We had a fabulous stay and found everything to be just as described. Property was clean and well stocked with cookware to meet our needs. This is a great location for exploring the abundance of breweries and wineries in the area. We were pleased that so many were still open in the Winter. We would definitely come back for another getaway.
Suzanne B - Stay Date: 1/12/2024
Thank you very much for taking the time to rate us 5/5 stars! We are thrilled to hear you would definitely come back and stay again!
Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 2/5/2024
Rating 5
Perfect Weekend

We had a very relaxing weekend. The view of the water is amazing from the porch and there are tons of local eateries, wineries and breweries to visit just down the road.

Carrie R from Wellsville, New York - Stay Date: 11/10/2023

Thank you for the 5 star rating. We are happy to see that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to host you again soon.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 11/28/2023
Rating 5

My husband and I (and our pup!) stayed at the Merlot Bungalow in August 2023 and it exceeded our expectations in every way. The home was clean, comfortable, and exactly as pictured. We normally cannot let our hound dog off-leash, as her nose will carry her away, but the way the lakefront area was contained to just our property, we could just block the stairs and let her run around all day enjoying the lake with us. One of my favorite parts of each day was waking up to the sunrise in the master bedroom, then moving out to the deck to enjoy it, wrapped in a blanket or sitting near the gas firepit.   We were happy to spend most of our time at the house/lake, but when we wanted to venture out, Penn Yan & Geneva were just 15 minutes away. The house is near train tracks, but we didn't find the few that came through to be too loud or disruptive. It was an absolutely perfect experience, and we plan to be back next year.  

Stephanie S from Wilmington, Delaware - Stay Date: 8/26/2023
Rating 5

Great view of the lake.  Quiet and relaxing

Summer C from Owings, Maryland - Stay Date: 8/5/2023
Rating 5

Great experience. We love the place. Clean, quiet, nice amenities.

Jeff B from State College, Pennsylvania - Stay Date: 6/11/2023
Rating 5
Perfect getaway

House was very clean. Well equipped. Beautiful views. The outdoor fire pit thing was a very nice bonus. Bed was comfy. Would def recommend and return for another trip.

Kristin J from Chesterland, Ohio - Stay Date: 5/11/2023
Rating 5
Beautiful view of sunrise!

Great time, great location.

James C from Carolina Beach, North Carolina - Stay Date: 4/22/2023

Thank you for the 5 star rating. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to see you again soon.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 5/26/2023
Rating 5
Idyllic retreat

Clean, quiet, lovely, lake access. It's easy to reach many charming destinations from this wonderful home. Highly recommended.

Jeff E from State College, Pennsylvania - Stay Date: 4/29/2022

Thank you so much for the review and for recommending our rental. We hope to see you again during your next trip to the Finger Lakes.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 5/26/2023
Rating 5
June 2017 Stay

This was one of our best vacations yet!! The Merlot Bungalow was the perfect place to stay while exploring the Seneca Lake region. It was ideally located on a quiet street, yet was a convenient starting point for visiting nearby breweries, wineries, and Seneca Farms Ice Cream Shop! The Bungalow was clean and comfortable. The kitchen had everything we needed. The favorite part of our stay was sitting on the deck in the morning with a cup of coffee and a book, enjoying the sights and sounds of this beautiful lake! The sunrise this morning was gorgeous!! Will definitely be back!

Nancy D from Carlisle, Pennsylvania - Stay Date: 6/10/2017

Thank you very much for taking the time to rate us 5/5 stars! We are thrilled to hear you would definitely come back and stay again!

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 5/26/2023
Rating 5
perfect lake house

Cute Quiet and right on the lake. Dog friendly

Amanda C from Berwick, Pennsylvania - Stay Date: 5/6/2023

 Thank you for the 5 star rating. We are happy to see that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to host you again soon.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 5/26/2023
Rating 5
We really loved this place. It’s really cozy and stupendous view of the lake (Seneca).  
Terrie L from Honeoye Falls, NY - Stay Date: 10/14/2022
Rating 5
The location is private and quiet.  The view from the house and deck are excellent especially for sunrises. We liked it so much; we booked it for our summer vacation and looking forward to kayaking and enjoying the large deck.
 
Summer C - Stay Date: 10/27/2022
Rating 5
We had an excellent and stress free experience using Finger Lakes Premier Properties.  Everything was as described and very clean. Thanks!!
Tim H - Stay Date: 11/4/2022
Rating 5
Beautiful Place

This was the second time we rented this gem. It’s so peaceful and the house is absolutely adorable perfect for a couple or small family. The lake views are gorgeous and it is a perfect spot to visit all the wineries and breweries . Quiet nights gathered around the fire pit. Amenities are great. We can’t wait to go back.

Pamela W from Great Meadows, New Jersey - Stay Date: 9/3/2022

Thank you for the 5 star rating. We are happy to see that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to host you again soon.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 3/31/2023
Rating 5
Second time we have stayed @ Merlot Bungalow, first time in the winter months. The location and views are unbeatable. The house is beautiful and comfortable. The deck with the gas fire pit is perfect, even in the winter to just chill and enjoy the gorgeous view of Seneca Lake with your fur babes and loved one! We will be back. 
Jill W - Stay Date: 2/17/2023
Rating 5
Stupendous & adorable cottage on the lake.

This was our second time at the Merlot. We loved it there. The place is very clean and cozy.

Terrie L from Honeoye Falls, New York - Stay Date: 10/14/2022

Terrie, Thank you very much for taking the time to rate your experience at our rental. We are thrilled to see that you enjoyed a wonderful stay with us! Please come and stay with us again soon!

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 3/27/2023
Rating 5
Stupendous & Cozy & cute cottage on the lake of Seneca

We love this place. Great view of the Seneca lake. The place is very clean. Great bonfire place. They have a great deck that we can sit and watch geese and loons. Even a great place to see the sunrise!!! We definitely will go back there. We love it there.

Anonymous from Honeoye Falls, New York - Stay Date: 10/15/2021

Thank you for the 5 star rating. We are happy to see that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to host you again soon.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 11/8/2021
Rating 5
Family getaway

Great house in the Finger Lakes! Perfect location between Penn Yan and Geneva with many wineries nearby. Our pups loved being on the lake and we loved the kayaks and floats available. House was very clean and had everything we needed.

Kristen V from Morris Plains, New Jersey - Stay Date: 9/14/2021

Thank you very much for taking the time to rate your experience at our rental. We are extremely gratified to see that you enjoyed a wonderful stay with us! Please come and stay with us again soon!

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 10/4/2021
Rating 5
Stunning view

The house was very clean and the view cannot be beat! The dogs loved swimming in the small private beach section. The deck options are extensive!! Just be aware that the internet is incredibly slow so if you need it at all for any type of work it is not functional. But you can check email. WE enjoyed the trip!

JJ M from Rochester, New York - Stay Date: 5/18/2020

Thank you for the 5 star rating.  We will use your feedback to improve the experience for future guests at this rental.  Please come and stay with us again soon!

Finger Lakes Premier Properties staff
Posted: 9/2/2021
Rating 5
Perfect Getaway!

The house was perfect for a girls weekend in wine country. Very clean, great location, dog friendly. We will be back!

Christine K - Stay Date: 4/29/2021
Rating 5
Perfect Getaway!

The house was perfect for a girls weekend in wine country. Very clean, great location, dog friendly. We will be back!

Christine K - Stay Date: 4/29/2021
Rating 5

It's a wonderful location, and great to have the kayaks, tubes, etc. there. The panoramic view of the lake from the deck is marvelous! There are great wineries and restaurants very close by.

Judith O from Buffalo, New York - Stay Date: 7/5/2020
Rating 5
A lovely place right on Seneca Lake- nestled in by some great wineries!

It was great, simple and clean. the deck overlooking lake Seneca was fantastic. the dock and boat house lakeside were perfect: nice comfy chairs and cushions kept safely away with easy access. the dock is great and makes for perfect lake swimming and tons of fun; there are kayaks and inflatables. everything was really very comfortable and well kept. we loved it.

Andrea C - Stay Date: 8/7/2020
Rating 5
Beautiful getaway on the Seneca shore

My wife, dog, and I stayed three nights in late October. We were delighted by the property, the location, and the view. Unfortunately the weather was a little too cold and rainy to get out and enjoy the deck, dock, or kayaks, but we made lots of use of the fireplace and watched the lake from the cozy living room. The property is in a perfect location - on a quiet dead end street so traffic is minimal and we could walk the dog up and down any time of day or night, plus it's a 3 minute drive to Anthony Road, our absolute favorite winery in the area, and 15 minutes to either Geneva or Penn Yan, where there are excellent restaurants for carryout. (Highly recommend FLX Fry Bird in Geneva and Union Block in Penn Yan.) The bungalow is appointed with all of the cooking supplies, dishware, wine glasses, etc. you'll need. Only complaints are the tv and internet connections, though we did figure out how to cast video from my phone to the built-in Chromecast in the tv, which worked ok when the weather didn't interfere with the satellite internet. Some instructions for the tv options and fireplace (which we could turn off and on but not figure out how to adjust otherwise) would be helpful for future guests. All in all a great location and property -- we're thinking about coming back in early summer when we could make use of the dock and kayaks!

Tim H from Bowie,MD - Stay Date: 10/28/2020
Rating 5
Fantastic!!

This place is great. The photos in the listing made the main area look a little bigger than it actually is, but the two of us were happier with reality than with what we thought we would find. Nicely decorated and well-maintained. Nice, open main area with a three-person couch and a small LR chair near the TV. Four-person dining table conveniently near kitchen and kitchen island/bar. Gas "heating stove" in the corner near the slider to the deck. We stayed during cold weather and boy does that stove throw some heat! ? Two nicely sized bedrooms. Almost the entire lake side of the house is glass (with shades or curtains, but you don't really need them because you have plenty of privacy). The road off Route 14 (Serenity Road) is easy to find and easy to drive. The location of this house is excellent for it's proximity to Geneva, and to several truly great nearby wineries (you can practically walk to Red Tail Ridge, Kemmeter and Anthony Road but there are many more worth visiting that are beyond this tiny radius). If we had been here during warmer weather, we would have been on the deck or at the fire pit every minute we were not out on the road. The lake view is phenomenal and the dock is easy to get to (if stairs are workable for you...no way around those). The wifi is a little slow, but definitely functional. The TV is decent-sized and has a native Google Chromecast app so we streamed from Netflix and Hulu in the evenings. FWIW...we grocery shop on our way up through Watkins Glen, and cook at home more than we eat out. But on this trip we tried FLX Fry Bird in Geneva (on the recommendation of another reviewer of this house!) and really enjoyed it. Better yet, a Google search showed us Sans Dumplings about 5 minutes away (it's actually part of Kemmeter Wines) and we got take-out from there twice. SUPER GOOD!! ? We find ourselves coming to Seneca Lake whenever we need to get away, and we will be specifically looking for this house again when we plan our next trip.

Gary H from Westwood, NJ - Stay Date:
Rating 5
Wonderful Winter Getaway!

My husband and I came up to have a weekend getaway and celebrate his birthday. We were so pleased with the Merlot Bungalow- clean, cozy, comfortable and a GORGEOUS view of Seneca Lake! Love the indoor fireplace that gave off lots of warmth. The house is close to many nearby points of interest including wineries (Red Tail Ridge and Anthony Rd right nearby), the town of Geneva (we ordered out from FLX Fry Bird) and Belhurst Castle (Edgars restaurant was delicious!). It snowed on and off throughout our stay and it didn’t impact our ability to go anywhere. Overall it was a lovely stay and we will definitely be back!

Michelle C from Penn Yan - Stay Date: 2/12/2021
Rating 5
July 2019

Having beach access to the water was indisputably the best part of this place; We swam twice a day in the morning and the afternoon. It's basically all we did.

Rheannon R from Tonawanda, NY - Stay Date:
Rating 5
July 2019 Stay

The Merlot Bungalow was just what the doctor ordered! We hadn't been on a week-long vacation in over 10 years and we couldn't have been happier with our choice. The gate on the deck attached to the house provided us with peace of mind that our dog and child would not inadvertently wander off and get hurt. The homes' perch on the lakeside provided incredible views from just about everywhere on the property. The fencing along the edge of the precipice was well-maintained and provided another level of security for our toddler and dog. The amenities met our every need and we didn't need to pack a single kitchen utensil to bring with us from home. The dock/boathouse/beach provided much-needed relief from the summer heat. The washer/dryer allowed us to keep everything clean and we didn't have a single piece of laundry to do when we got home. The larger stand-up shower was much appreciated; most we've encountered are more like utility closets. The Merlot Bungalow was so welcoming that it almost felt like home. That fact made our vacation so much more enjoyable/refreshing despite chasing around a toddler & a dog, and taking care of a 2-month-old. I would recommend this place to any single family looking to get away. You WON'T regret it. BOOK IT!

Charlie R - Stay Date:
Rating 5
June 2018 Stay

Merlot bungalow was about the view, it was incredible! Very comfortable home with great decks and proximity to both ends of the lake.

Kathy B from Columbus, OH - Stay Date: 6/1/2018
Rating 5
May 2018 Stay

The Merlot Bungalow is a fantastic little cottage on the lake! Our favorite part about it is the view from the living room and master bedroom (+ the amazing decks and docks!). We would definitely recommend for a couple or couples who are looking for a peaceful weekend. The location is great on a private street very close to many wineries (a few you can even walk to!).

 

Jennifer W from Catonsville, MD - Stay Date: 5/5/2018
Rating 5
May 2018 Stay

The view of the lake is breathtaking. Make it a point to see a sunrise.

 

Carmen D from Mount Holly, NJ - Stay Date: 5/4/2018
Rating 5
April 2018 Stay

The Merlot Bungalow is a beautiful house with picture perfect views of Lake Seneca. The amenities provided were perfect which made our stay memorable.

 

Carmen D from Mount Holly, NJ - Stay Date: 4/27/2018
Rating 5
July 2017 Stay

What a wonderful place! We will definitely be back. Loved every minute! Amenities were all great: pots & pans, coffee pot, dishes, glasses, wine glasses, utensils, cooking implements, all great! The only suggestions for improvement: better knife block, additional bed pillows, and faster internet. Loved the fire pit, grill, kayaks, life jackets, inner tubes, gorgeous decks! Very comfortable home! 

Mary B from Mount Airy, MD - Stay Date: 7/9/2017
Rating 5
June 2017 Stay

This was one of our best vacations yet!! The Merlot Bungalow was the perfect place to stay while exploring the Seneca Lake region. It was ideally located on a quiet street, yet was a convenient starting point for visiting nearby breweries, wineries, and Seneca Farms Ice Cream Shop! The Bungalow was clean and comfortable. The kitchen had everything we needed. The favorite part of our stay was sitting on the deck in the morning with a cup of coffee and a book, enjoying the sights and sounds of this beautiful lake! The sunrise this morning was gorgeous!! Will definitely be back!

Nancy D from Carlisle - Stay Date: 6/10/2017
Rating 5
We had a great time during our stay. We also really appreciate the little doggie gift bags that we received when we arrived. Everything in the house was clean and the staff were very professional.
Leavey - Stay Date: 10/17/2016
Rating 5
I could never tire of waking up to that glorious lake view and stepping out on the deck every morning with my cup of tea. Light poured into the pristine, comfortable living room from the oversized sliding doors and soaring skylights above. There are two spacious decks to enjoy the lake. We took advantage of the new kayaks to enjoy on the lake in warmer weather. This is one of the few rentals I would wish to return in a heartbeat. There are many properties on Seneca Lake; alas many have tired furnishings or poor light/views from inside. After searching through many properties I was convinced we couldn't do better in this budget and I was right.
Julia from New York NY - Stay Date: 5/27/2016
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